Typewriter mechanism



Nov. 7, 1944. o. c. KAVLE 2,362,138

TYPEWRITER uncrumxsm Filed Sept. 9, 1942 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 11/1 11 III Arfo/F/VEK;

Nov. 7, 1944. o. c. KAVLE 2,362,133

' TYPEWRITER MECHANISM v Filed Sept. 9, 1942 s Sheets-She t z Nov. 7, 1944. 0, c, KAVLE 2,362,138

TYPEWRITER MECHANISM Filed Sept. 9, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet s I 11/] II 1 II 1/ 11 1 1 1/ 1 1111 FIG -.5'--

- INVENTOR.

OMM C M w'fwm Patented Nov. 7,1944

TYPEWRITER MECHANISM Oscar C. Kavle, Syracuse, N. Y., assignor to The Kavle-Hea'd Corporation, Ithaca, N. Y., a corporation of New York I Application September 9,1942, Serial No. 457,733 I 15 Claims.

This invention relates to typewriter machines or printing machines, and has for its object a typewriter action for power operated machines including an actuator, as a cam shaft, which is being constantly rotated, as by an electric motor,

and a coupling operated by the key levers respec-' tively, one coupling for each lever, which requires the full dip of the key lever to couple the type bar for the operated key lever with the constantly rotating actuatorand an'action in which the coupling also not only synchronizes the type bar operation with the dip of the key but also times the movementof the type bars, so that a type bar going into printing position passes the one returning from printing position at a predetermined point, eliminating the possibility of the type bars interfering with each other or rubbing together.

The invention further has for its object a power typewriter action in which the type bars are also returned to their starting position by the power, and main which the type bar mechanism is picked up by reason of eccentric cam and strap mechanism in an easy lift movement at one end of the throw of the eccentric or when reversing the throw and is moved into printing position with uniformly accelerated motion as the eccenuniversal member and the coupling controlledby the key lever.

It further has for its object'a mechanism in which the rebound f the type bar returning to starting position is snubbed or prevented by reason of the lever and linkage arrangement between the key bars or'levers and the type bars.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings'in. which like character designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of the typewriter, parts being omitted, showing the typewriter mechanism'in side elevation with the type bar in starting position.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, showing the key as partly depressed, when the type bar moves slightly on its printing stroke and also showing the coupling, operated from the key lever, in coupling position with the oscillating universal plate operable by the cam shaft.

Figure 3 is an elevation, similar to Figures 1 and 2, showing the position of the parts of the -mechanism when the type bar has been actuated by power into printing position.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view, parts being omitted, of the parts seen in Figure 1.

Figure 511s a sectional view on line 5-5, Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation showing the action of the levers of the type bar mechanism for locking the type bar from rebound.

Figure 'l is an enlarged fragmentary view of parts seen in Figure 1.

This typewriter mechanism includes a coupling for each key lever and type bar shiftable by the operation of the key lever into the path of a constantly oscillating universal member or plate, during the full dip of the key lever, so that. it will be picked up by the universal member and actuated thereby, to actuate the type bar, the coupling coacting with the universal member with a lost motion, permitting the type bar to be flipped ahead of the universal member during one part of each oscillation and to be returned to' starting position during the other part of each oscillation, so that the operation of a key moves the type bar part way only away from rest or starting position and brings the coupling into coaction with the universal member and hence the remainder of its printing stroke is by power and also so that the type bar is returned by power most of the way toward starting position.

The reference character I designates a constantly rotating actuator, as a shaft, suitably mounted in the frame 2 of the typewriter, the

shaft having one or more eccentric cams 3 thereon. The shaft is actuated in any suitable manner, as by an electric motor 4 mounted in the frame and connected'to the shaft, as by a belt 5 running over pulleys on the motor shaft and on the shaft l. The reference character 6 designates a universal member in the form of a plate, extending above the shaft and fixed at one edge,

V as at l, to a cross bar 8 of the frame 2, the sea universal bar. The plate is connected to the shaft i by eccentric cam and strap mechanism including the cams 3 and eccentric straps as 9, each having an arm I pivoted at II to ears struck up from the plate 6.

pivotally mounted at the rear ends at I5 on a common axis to a cross bar I6 of the frame 2 and extend horizontally forward therefrom. The keys I3 are arranged in a bank of four rows and the levers with the keys of different rows are of different lengths from the pivotal axis I5. The levers I4 paired with the levers I2 are pivoted, at H, at their front ends or are reversely arranged relatively to the levers I2. These levers are all of the same length, The levers I4 are connected to thecompanion levers I2 by links I8. In order that the dip of the key levers may be uniform for all of such levers, the links I8 for the row of shortest levers are connected farther from the pivot I1 than the links connecting the longer key levers. Thus, the links I8 connecting the shorter levers for the keys in the top row of cam shaft I, which is constantly rotating, and

the type bar mechanism, upon the full dip of the key lever, so that after the key lever has been operated to its full dip, and the type bar shifted part way from its starting position, the connection is established between the oscillating universal plate 6 and the type bar mechanism or the lever 22 thereof. This coupling, as here shown, consists of a link 35 pivoted at 38 to the front end of each lever 22 and depending therefrom across the edge of the oscillating universal member or plate 6, and having a notch 31 for receiving the edge of the oscillating plate 5, the coupling or the link 35 being normally arranged so that the notch is out of the path of the oscillating member 6 and is movedinto position to receive the edge of the member 6 by the depression of the key lever.

The coupling is normally held in retracted position by suitable means, as a guide or stop 38 coacting with the lower endof the link 35, the

the bank of keys, are connected to the levers I 4' 1 further from the pivot I1 than the links connecting the key levers of the second row from the top of the bank, and likewise, the links connecting the levers of the third and fourth rows of the bank are pivoted to the levers I 4 nearer the pivot I'I.

The type bar action may be of any suitable construction, with the exception of the coupling, which is one of the major features of this invention.

.The reference character I9 designates the type bars which carry type heads 20. The type bars are each pivoted, as at 2|, in the frame. The reference character 22 designates one of a series of levers pivoted at its rear end at 23 to a cross bar 8 of the frame and having an arm 25 at its front end provided with a hook or shoulder 26 arranged in the path of a shoulder 21 at the rear end of the corresponding key board lever I 4. The dip of each key lever I2 is transferred through the companion lever I4 and its shoulder 2! to the lever 22 of the type bar machanism to lift the type bar I9 part way only from its starting position (Figure 1) to the position shown in Figure 2. During this movement, the coupling to be described is shifted into the path of the universal plate 6.

The motion of the lever 22 is transferred to the type bar I9 through motion transmitting means" including a toggle. The toggle comprises a lever 28 fulcrumed at 29 to the frame, or a shelf 30 on the cross bar 8 and a link 3! connects the lever28 and a lever arm 32 extending below the pivot 2I of the type bar I9. The motion of each lever 22 is transmitted to its toggle lever 28 I through a follower 33 on the lever 22 coacting with a curved cam slot 3| in the lever 28. A type bar action including this toggle with the follower and cam slot is well known and per se forms no part of this invention.

The major feature of this invention is the coupling for establishing connection between the lower end 39 being curved rearwardly providing a clearance for the stop 38 when the key is depressed, and thereby permitting the link to thereof engages the shoulder 26 of the corresponding lever 22 of the type bar mechanism; depressing this lever 22 against the action of a light returning spring S from the position shown in Figure 1, wherein the type bar I9 in starting position against the seat 42 is moved ,into the position shown in Figure 2, away from the seat 42. The follower 33 thus moves partly into its slot 34 into position shown in Figure 2, and this movement requires the full dip of the key lever I2. When the key lever I2 approaches its full dip, the curved end 39 of the-coupling link 35 clears the guide or stop 38, permitting the spring to react and move the lower wall of the slot or shoulder M into the path .of the universal member 6, which engages the shorter lower wall of the slot or shoulder M and actuates the lever 22 to carry the follower 33 into the lower end of the cam slot 34 into the position shown in Figure 3, and in so doing, move the type bar I9 into printing position. As the shaft I continues to rotate, the universal member 6 is moved upwardly and engages the longer upper side of the notch 31, that is, the shoulder 4|, and returns the type bar I9 toward starting position. During the end of this return movement, the lower curved end of the link 35 cams at 44 against the guide 38 and is shifted against the action of the spring 40 to its normal position.

The cams 3 on the shaft I are so arranged that during the rotation of the shaft I, they are at the ends of their throws, when picking up any one of the couplings 35, both at the beginning of the printing stroke and the beginning of the return stroke. 50 that when picking up the coupling of any operated key lever, the cam is reversing at one end of its throw and the universal member picks up the shoulder 4| of the operated coupling with minimum stroke as it is moving comparatively slowly. As the cam rotates, the picked up coupling'is actuated with uniformly accelerated motion, and thereby actuates the type bar with increasing momentum and hammerlike action into printing position. The reverse operation takes place during the return of the type bar, that is, the cam 3 is reversing at the other end of its throw and picks up the shoulder 4| of the coupling and returns the type bar with accelerated motion from standstill toward starting position, or to the position shown in Figure 3, when the cam 3 approaches reversing position or the end of. its throw, and hence decelerates the type bar. The spring S returns the lever 22 and toggle links 28-31 and the type to the seat 42. The notch 31 being wider than the edge of the universal member 6 permits the overthrow or flip of the type bar 19. The cam slot 34 in the lever 28 is shaped to facilitate this overthrow. As the type bar approaches starting position, or the position shown in Figure 2, the surface 44 of the coupling 35 engages the stop 38 and shifts the coupling member back to normal. position, or that shown in Figure 1.

Owing to the return of the type bars H! to their starting position by power, a type bar that is being actuated toward printing position always passes the one that is returning to starting position at approximately the same point, or the point at which they pass is controlled and the passing timed. Hence, all liability of the type heads interfering is eliminated. The point at which they pass is also partly controlled by the slot34 in the lever 28.

Although because of the arrangement of the eccentric cams 3, the type bars are returned to their starting'position without shock that will cause violent rebound, nevertheless means for preventing rebound is provided, and this means consists of the arrangement of the pivots 23 of the links 22 and the followers 33 relatively to the walls of the cam, slot 34, when the type bars are in starting position. As seen in Figure 6, the,

toggle formed by the links 28 and 3| are partly folded when the type bar is at rest. The reaction of the rebound tends to straighten the toggle and is transferred through a straight line X-X, passing through the pivot 23 and the center of the follower 33, or in a direction lengthwise of the lever 22, and this force reacts on the walls of the slot 34 at nearly a right angle thereto, instead of in a direction lengthwise of the slot, or in the direction of the operating movement of the follower 33. Therefore, the rebounding action is immediately snubbed or neutralized;

In operation, the operator depresses the key levers in the usual manner and must o through the full dip before the coupling 35 is in position to be picked up by the oscillating universal member 6. When a key lever is fully depressed, the

tion. Heretofore, in power operated machines using cam shafts, the operation of the machine is extremely sensitive as the type bars strike upon touching the key. The ordinary manual typewriter has an advantage, because of the dip, permitting the operator to withdraw her finger or "pull her punches before the type head strikes, in case she inadvertently touches the wrong key or drags her finger inadvertently on another key while striking the proper key.

In this typewriter mechanism in which a constantly running actuator or electric motor actuated cam shaft is used, the operator can use the same technique as in a manual machine. Hence, this machine has all the advantages of apower machine and also of a manual machine as tomanual operating technique.

What I claim is:

1. In a power typewriter, key levers and type bars corresponding to the key levers, the combir: ation of actuating mechanism including a constantlyoperating universal I transmitting means between each key lever and universal member 6 through the coupling 35 actution and a flip at the end thereof. During the movement of the type bar from the position shown in Figure 2 to that shown in Figure 3. the lever 22 of the type bar mechanism moves relatively to the key board levers, that is, the shoulder 25 of lever 22 separates from the shoulder 21 on the lever l4, as seen in Figure 3. After the printing operation, the cams 2 reverse the motion and the universal member 6 begins its upward movement and engages the upper side of the notch 31, that is, the shoulder 4|, of the coupling, and returns the type bar toward starting posiits companion type bar operating upon full dip of the key to move the type bar part way only from its starting position and including a lever movable partway by the operation of the 'key lever, and also having an additional movement relative thereto, a coupling carried by the last lever and normally out of the path of movement of the universal member and shiftable into the path of the universal member by the operation of the key lever, said 'motion transmitting means including a portion operable by the coupling when the same is coupled to the universal member for actuating the type bar by power. from the position to which it has been initially moved by the dip of the key lever.

2. In a power typewriter, key levers and type bars corresponding to the key levers, the com-' relatively thereto, a coupling carried by the last lever and normally out of the path of movement of the universal member and shiftable into the path of the universal member by the operation of the key lever, means tending to normally hold the coupling out of the path of the universal member, means tending to urge it into said path, the coupling being operable out of coaction with the holding means upon operation of its key lever, into the path of the universal member, whereby the motion transmitting means is additionally actuated by the universal member to actuate the type 'bar on its printing stroke and said holding means coacting with the coupling to shift the coupling to its starting position during return movement of the motion transmit-' t ng means and the type bar by the universal member.

3. 'In a. power typewriter, key levers and type member, motion lever, and also having an additional movement relatively thereto, a coupling carried by the last lever and normally out of the path of movement of the universal member and shiftable into the path of the universal member by the operation of the key lever, means tending to normally hold the coupling out of the path of the universal member, means tending to urge it into said path, the coupling being operable out of coaction with the holding means upon operation of its key lever into the path of the universal member, whereby the motion transmitting means is additionally actuated by the universal member to actuate the type bar on its printing stroke, and said holding means coacting with the coupling to shift the coupling to its starting position during return movement of the motion transmitting means and the type bar by the universal member, said coupling having spaced apart shoulders forming a notch for receiving the universal member, the shoulder with which the universal member coacts during the printing movement of the type bar being shorter than the shoulder of the notch with which it coacts during the return movement.

4. In a power typewriter key levers and type bars corresponding to the key levers, the combination of actuating mechanism including a constantly operating universal member, motion transmitting means between each key lever and its companion type bar operating upon full dip of the key to move the type bar part way only from its starting position and including a lever movable part way by the operation of the key lever. and also having an additional movement relatively thereto, a coupling carried by the last lever and normally out of the path of movement of the universal member and shiftable into the path of the universal member by the operation of the key levers, means tending to normally hold the couplingout of the path of the universal member, means tending to urge it into said path, the coupling being operable out of coaction with the holding means upon operation of its key lever into the path of the universal member, whereby the motion transmitting means is additionally actuated by the universal member to actuate the type bar on its printing stroke, and said holding means coacting with the coupling to shift the coupling to its starting position during return movement of the motion transmitting means and the type bar by the universal member, said bar being shorter than the shoulder of the notch with which it coacts during the return movement, the actuating mechanism including eccentric cam and strap elements arranged so that the universal member coacts with the coupling to actuate the type bar on its printing stroke at one end of its throw and to actuate the coupling in the opposite direction to return the type bar at the other end of its throw, all whereby the coupling and the type bar is power actuated on its printing stroke and its return stroke.

5. In a power typewriter, key levers and type bars corresponding to the key levers, the combination of actuating mechanism including a constantly oscillating universal member, motion transmitting means between each key lever and its companion type bar operating upon full dip of the'key to move the type bar part way only from its starting position andincluding a lever movable part way by the operation of the key lever, and also having an additional movement relatively thereto, and a coupling carried by the last lever and normally out of the path of movement of the universal member and shiftable into the path of the universal member by the operation of the key lever, the universal action coacting with the coupling with a lost motion whereby the type bar is given a flipping impulse relative to the universal member.

6. In a power typewriter, key levers and type bars corresponding to ,the key levers, the combination of actuating mechanism including a constantly operating universal member, motion transmitting means between each key lever and its companion type bar operating upon full dip of the key to move the type bar part way only from its starting position and including a lever movable part way by the-operation of the key lever, and also having an additional movement relatively thereto, a coupling carried by the last lever and normally out of the path of movement of the universal member and shiftable into the path of the universal member by the operation of the key lever, means tending to normally hold the coupling out of the path of the universal member, means tending to urge it into said path, the coupling being operable out of coaction with the holding means upon operation of its key lever into the path of the universal member, whereby the motion transmitting means is additionally actuated by the universal member to actuate the type bar on its printing stroke, and said holding means coacting with the coupling to shift the coupling to its starting position during return movement of the motion transmitting means and the type bar by the universal member, said coupling having spaced apart shoulders forming a notch for receiving the universal member, the shoulder with which the universal member coacts during the printing movement of the type bar being shorter than the shoulder of the notch with which it coacts during the return movement, the actuating mechanism including eccentric cam and strap elements arranged so that the universal member coacts with the coupling to actuate the type bar on its printing stroke at one end of its throw and to actuate the coupling in the opposite direction to return the type bar at the other end of its throw, all whereby the coupling and the type bar are power actuated during the printing stroke and the return stroke of the type bar, the universal member coacting with the notch with a lost motion, whereby the type bar is given a flipping impulse relative to the universal member.

7. In a power typewriter having a key board mechanism including a plurality of key lever units and type bar mechanism including type bar units corresponding to the levers, the com-' bination of a constantly rotating actuator, anoscillating universal member constantly actuated by the actuator, the type bar mechanism including motion transmitting means between each key lever mechanism and its type bar unit operable to actuate the type bar part way only from its starting position toward printing position upon i ull dip of the key' lever, said motion transmitting means being movable relatively to the key lever mechanism to complete the printing movement of the type bar, a coupling carried by the motion transmitting means and normally out of coupling position and shiftable by the dipping of the key lever into coupling position relatively to the universal member to be picked up thereby to shift the coupling into engagement with the during oscillation of said member and actuate the type bar mechanism through the remainder of its stroke.

8. In .a power typewriter having a keyboard mechanism including a plurality of key lever units and type bar mechanism including type bar units universal member during the dip operation of the keylever, and connections between the coucorrespon-ding to the levers, the combination of type bar, a coupling carried by the motion trans mitting means and normally out of coupling. position and shiftable by the dipping of the key lever into coupling position relatively to the universal member to be picked up thereby during the movement of the universal member in one direction and also to be picked up during the movement of said member in the opposite direction.

9. In a power typewriter, key levers and type bars corresponding to the key levers, the combination of actuating mechanism including a constantly operating universal member, motion transmitting means between each key lever and its companion type ibar operating upon full dip of the key lever to move the type bar part way only from its starting position, a coupling normally out of engagement with the universal member, and connections operated by the key lever to shift the coupling into "engagement with the universal member during the dip operation of the key lever, and connections between the coupling and the type bar movable relativ to the former connections and the key lever toactuate the type bar after the coupling is engaged with the universal member.

10. In a power typewriter, key levers and type bars corresponding to the key levers, the combination of actuating mechanism including a constantly operating universal member, motion transmitting means between each key lever and its companion type bar operating upon full dip of the key lever to move the type bar part way only from its starting position, a coupling normally out of engagement with the universal memher, and connections operated by the key lever to shift the coupling into engagement with th universal member during the dip operation of the key lever, and connections between the coupling and the type bair, movable relative to the former connections and the key lever to actuate the type bar after the coupling is engaged with the universal member, said coupling being a two-way coupling and also coacting with the universal member during the retrograde movement of the universal member, whereby the type bar is moved both into and out of striking position by the universal member.

11. In a power typewriter, key levers and type bars corresponding to the key levers, the combination of actuating'mechanism including a con,-

stantly operating universal member, motion transmitting means betweenieach key lever and its companion type bar operating upon full dip of the key lever to move the' .type bar part way only from its-starting position, a coupling normally out of engagement with the universal member, and connections operatedfby the key lever pling and the type bar, movable relative to the former connections and the key lever to actuate I the type bar after the coupling is engaged with the universal member, said coupling being a twoway coupling and coacting with the universal member during th retrograde movement of the universal member, whereby the type bar is moved into and out of striking position by the universal member, the coupling coacting with the universal member with a lost motiong whereby the type bar is given a fiip during its striking movement.

12. In a power typewriter, key levers and type bars corresponding to the key levers, the combination of actuating mechanism including a constantly operating universal member motion transmitting means between each' key lever and its companion type bar operating upon full dip of the key lever to move the type bar part way only from its starting position, a coupling normally out of engagement with the universal I member, connections operated by the key lever to shift the coupling into engagement with the universal member during the dip operation 01 the key lever, and connections between the coupling and the type bar, movable relative to the former connections and the key lever to actuate the type bar after the coupling'is engaged with the universal member, and means for shifting the coupling out of coupling-position at the end of the retrograde movement of the universal member. I

13. In a power typewriter, key levers and type bars corresponding to the key levers, the combination of actuating mechanism including a constantly operating universal member, motion transmitting means between each'key lever and its companion type bar operating upon full dip of the key lever to move the type b'ar part way only from its starting position, a coupling normally out of engagement with the universal member, connections operated by the key lever to shift the coupling into engagement with the universal member during the dip operation of the key lever, and connections between the coupling and the type bar, movable relative to the former connections and the key lever to actuate the type bar after the coupling is engaged with the universal member, said coupling being a two-way coupling and coacting with the universal member during the retrograde movement of the universal member, whereby the type bar is moved into and out of striking position by the universal member, and means for shifting the coupling out of coupling position at the end with the universal member and motion transmitting means operated by the universal member for actuating the type bar into and out of printing position, said coupling coacting with the universal member to be moved in opposite directions thereby, so that the couplingis actuated by power in opposite directions and hence returns the type bar to starting position by &

the key lever into coupling engagement with the universal member and motion transmitting meansroperated by the universal member for actuating the type bar into and out of printing position, said coupling coacting with the universal member to be moved in opposite directions thereby, so that the coupling is actuated by'power in opposite directions and hence returns the type bar to starting position by power, and means coacting directly with the coupling and independent of the key lever for shifting the coupling out of engagement with the universal member at the end of its reciprocating movement, the coupling coacting with the universal member with a lost motion connection.

OSCAR C. KAVLE. 

